XLVIII Here It Is Told of King Conrad, Father of Conradin
We read of King Conrad1 that when he was a boy he enjoyed the company of twelve boys of his own age. Whenever King Conrad was at fault, the masters who were entrusted with his care did not beat him, but they beat those boys who were his companions. And he would say: Why do you beat these boys? The masters answered: Because of your misdemeanours. And he said: Why do you not beat me, for I am to blame? And the masters answered: Because you are our lord. But we beat them in your place. Wherefore sorely should you be grieved if you have a gentle heart, that others pay the penalty of your faults.
And therefore, we are told, King Conrad took great heed not to act wrongly, for of pity them.
Notes
1 Conrad IV of Svevia, son of Frederick II, elected Emperor of Germany in 1250, came to Italy to take possession of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.